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Ratings: ★★★★★ (4.8/5)
Genre: Buddhism / Mahayana Buddhism / Scripture / Philosophy / Religion

Book Review:
Burton Watson's translation of ''The Vimalakirti Sutra'' is a true gem of Buddhist literature, and a perfect entry point into the profound and often paradoxical world of Mahayana thought. This is not a dry philosophical treatise; it is a vibrant, dramatic, and even humorous teaching story that has captivated readers for centuries.

What makes this sutra so unique and compelling is its protagonist. Vimalakirti is not a monk in a mountain cave, but a wealthy householder, a layman with a family and a business, living right in the midst of the bustling city of Vaisali. And yet, his wisdom is so profound that even the great arhats and bodhisattvas are humbled in his presence. The sutra opens with Vimalakirti feigning illness, and the Buddha asks his foremost disciples to visit him. One by one, they decline, each recounting a previous encounter in which Vimalakirti effortlessly outshone them in debate and exposed the limits of their understanding.

This sets the stage for a series of dazzling dialogues that explore the deepest teachings of Mahayana Buddhism. Vimalakirti expounds on the nature of non-duality, the emptiness of all phenomena, and the path of the bodhisattva. The famous ''Chapter on Entering the Dharma Gate of Non-duality'' is a masterpiece of philosophical literature, in which various bodhisattvas offer their definitions of non-duality, culminating in Vimalakirti's thunderous silence.

Watson's translation is a gift. He renders the text in clear, elegant, and accessible English, preserving the wit and drama of the original while making its profound philosophical content understandable. This edition, part of Motilal Banarsidass's esteemed ''Buddhist Tradition Series,'' is a reliable and beautiful presentation of a classic text.

''The Vimalakirti Sutra'' is essential reading for anyone interested in Buddhism, philosophy, or the power of storytelling to convey spiritual truth. It challenges, inspires, and delights in equal measure. Highly recommended.